France to ban sales of dogs and cats at pet shops

法国将禁止宠物店销售猫狗

France will ban pet shops from selling dogs and cats from 2024 as part of efforts to prevent abandonment.

为了防止猫狗被遗弃，法国将从2024年起禁止宠物店销售猫狗。

Under a new animal welfare law approved by the Senate on Thursday, licensed breeders and shelters will be among the few options for would-be owners.

根据法国参议院上周四（11月18日）通过的新动物福利法案，想要养猫狗的人只能从有营业执照的动物养殖场或动物收容所等地获得猫狗。

Owners will also be required to sign a commitment certificate confirming their knowledge of the needs of the animals. Purchases can be cancelled within seven days.

他们必须签一份承诺书，确认自己了解动物的需求。购买合同在7天之内可以取消。

The provisions are designed to prevent impulsive buying, which is a factor behind abandonment.

这一条款旨在防止冲动性购买，这是猫狗被遗弃的一个因素。

A pet food industry association says nearly 22 million dogs and cats are kept as pets in France. But according to animal welfare groups, 100,000 are abandoned every year.

一个宠物食品行业协会表示，法国有近2200万只宠物猫狗。但是动物福利团体指出，每年都有10万只猫狗被遗弃。

A lawmaker who cosponsored the bill welcomed its adoption as a historic first step.

支持这一法案的一名议员对法案的通过表示欢迎，称其为历史性的第一步。

The law also bans dolphin and orca shows from 2026, and the use of wild animals in traveling circuses from 2028.

该法案还将从2026年起禁止海豚和虎鲸表演，并将从2028年起禁止马戏团巡演使用野生动物。

A representative of a circus association vowed to stage a protest, saying that no show animals are abused and the law is arbitrary.

一个马戏团联盟的一名代表声称要举行抗议活动，并表示参加马戏团表演的动物没有受到虐待，这一立法太武断。